Clark Ashton Smith (1893–1961) was an American writer and artist known for his unique contributions to literature and art. - Born on January 13, 1893, in Long Valley, California, Smith came from a family of English and New England heritage.- He spent most of his life in Auburn, California, where he lived in a cabin built by his parents, Fanny and Timeus Smith.- Due to psychological disorders, Smith's formal education was limited, and he was taught at home after attending eight years of grammar s...
Clark Ashton Smith (1893–1961) was an American writer and artist known for his unique contributions to literature and art.
- Born on January 13, 1893, in Long Valley, California, Smith came from a family of English and New England heritage.
- He spent most of his life in Auburn, California, where he lived in a cabin built by his parents, Fanny and Timeus Smith.
- Due to psychological disorders, Smith's formal education was limited, and he was taught at home after attending eight years of grammar school.
- Smith was an insatiable reader with an extraordinary eidetic memory, and he read voraciously, including works by Edgar Allan Poe, Hans Christian Andersen, and others.
- He even read the entire 11th edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica twice.
- Smith's early literary efforts included fairy tales and imitations of the Arabian Nights, which he began writing at the age of 11.
- He sold several tales to "The Black Cat," a magazine specializing in unusual stories, at the age of 17.
- Smith's poetic talents blossomed, leading to acclaimed volumes like "The Star-Treader and Other Poems" and "Odes and Sonnets."
- He was mentored by San Francisco poet George Sterling and gained international acclaim for his poetry.
**Weird Fiction Phase: 1926–1935**
- Smith transitioned to weird fiction during this period, possibly influenced by H.P. Lovecraft.
- He created a plethora of imaginative creatures and wrote stories set in various fictional lands like Averoigne, Hyperborea, and Zothique.
**Sculpture Period: 1935–1961**
- Smith's interest in fiction waned, and he turned to sculpture, primarily using soft rock materials like soapstone.
**Notable Literary Friendships:**
- Smith was a part of the Lovecraft circle and had a lasting literary friendship with H.P. Lovecraft.
- He corresponded with fellow writers like Robert E. Howard and E. Hoffmann Price.
**Legacy and Unique Contributions:**
- Clark Ashton Smith's work is celebrated for its rich vocabulary, cosmic perspective, and sardonic humor.
- His weird fiction has been compared to the Dying Earth sequence of Jack Vance.
- Smith's writing style aimed to captivate readers by using a variety of stylistic resources, akin to incantations.
**Later Life and Marriage:**
- In 1954, at the age of 61, Smith married Carol(yn) Jones Dorman, a woman with experience in Hollywood and radio public relations.
- They lived in Pacific Grove, California, and Smith continued sculpting during this period.
**Passing and Legacy:**
- In 1961, Smith passed away quietly in his sleep at the age of 68.
- His ashes were buried near his childhood home, and plaques recognizing his contributions have been erected in Auburn, California.
Clark Ashton Smith's life was marked by a fascinating blend of artistic pursuits, from poetry and weird fiction to sculpture. His imaginative worlds and unique style continue to captivate readers and stand as a testament to his enduring legacy in the realms of literature and art.
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